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Friday, September 11, 2009

Physician jobs as an independent medical examiner

This is a question that comes up quite often: "how do I become an independent medical examiner?"

There's some confusion in the community about what the phrase "independent medical examiner" or IME. What does an IME examine or review? Patients? Charts? Malpractice cases? Personal injury? Workers' compensation? Disability claims? Insurance records? This is one area where many nurses are leveraging their clinical skills to review charts and work as chart reviewers.

According to the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME):

Independent medical examinations (IMEs) are evaluations performed by an evaluator not involved in the care of the examinee, for clarifying clinical and case issues. IMEs are an important component of workers' compensation systems, and are also used to clarify other disability or liability associated cases. Impairment evaluations are often used to provide a more objective understanding of the impact of an injury or illness.

The ABIME offers certification so that you can become a Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME) or a Certified Independent Chiropractic Examiner (CICE). Once you gain that certification, then you can put your name on various directories and lists to advertise your services. Some clinicians work as full-time IMEs. Others may work part-time. If you're willing to review some charts in your spare time, it's one way to generate some supplemental income.